Elms of Cranbury held its first car show May 21
Vintage and classic cars filled the Elms of Cranbury’s parking lot bringing a window into the past.
Antique car enthusiasts and owners of the classic vehicles such as Corvettes, Firebirds, and Fords, were able to showcase the history of their cars in the Elms of Cranbury’s first car show. The Elms is a subacute and long-term nursing facility in Cranbury, on May 21.
“This is the first time we decided to do a car show,” said Kelly Aylward, director of marketing for The Elms. “The Elms has been under new ownership the past two years, and they really wanted to do something special for our families that live here, families that visit and for the community.”
She added that the show is about giving back, joining the community, being outside and providing extra services.
“Our residents are out here enjoying this. They have said to me several times since I have been out here, you need to do this every week,” Aylward said. “It has been nice to see their faces light up and remember these cars back from when they were younger.”
Vehicles on display ranged from a 1931 Ford A to a 1987 Porsche to a 1950 Chevy and 1972 Pontiac.
Walt MacMillian owns and showed off his 1931 Ford A.
“I enjoy walking around car shows and talking with people and showing the car. The car is unique,” he said.
His 1931 Ford A was made in New Jersey. He purchased the car more than 20 years ago from man who had a machine shop in Newark. The person MacMillian brought the car from had restored the Ford A.
“What stood out to me originally about the Model A was the availability of parts. You name it for this car I can get,” he added.
Al Delieto of Spotswood has had his antique and restored black 1940 Ford for 10 years.
“It is all LED lights, electric wipers, air conditioning, and the interior is all done. [The restoration] is pretty much all done,” he said.
Delieto shared that he bought the Ford because of his enjoyment for old cars.
“I just like old cars and the car screamed out and I had to buy it. I do take the car out for drives,” he said. “When people do walk past the car, I want them to carry the tradition of the old cars today, especially the younger generation.”
Cranbury resident Bob Miller is the owner of a red 1956 AC Ace on display.
“It is one of 126 manufactured and is British. This car is what eventually became the AC Cobra,” he said. “I purchased it two years ago from a collector friend, who I had been working for 20 years to sell it to me, and it is a great car.”
Miller said the car needs continuous maintenance, because of the car’s age. The previous owner did a lot of the restoration over the span of 20 years.
“This car is the daddy to the AC Cobra and the AC Cobra is a car that I have always wanted. This car is educational, and we show our cars for the educational aspect of it,” he added. “This Ace has a lot of history because of the racing history.”
The Elms of Cranbury seeks to do the show annually for residents and the community.